Well retrieving tool



L o 0 DT EG s m R m R L L E w Feb. 1, 1955 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 13, 1950 Feb. 1, 1955 Filed NOV. 15,- 1950 c. o. STEED 2,70LU19 WELL RETRIEVING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 1, 1955 c, STEED 2,7ULU19 WELL RETRIEIVING TOOL Filed Nov. 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MAA/L l6 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O WELL RETRIEVING TOOL Charles 0. Steed, Odessa, Tex.

Application November 13, 1950, Serial No. 195,156

19 Claims. (Cl. 166-99) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tools for retrieving articles from well bores.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved tool for retrieving articles, such as cutters, cones, ball bearings, and pins, from a well bore which is of such construction that reverse circulation may be employed to force the articles into the receiving or junk catching chamber of the tool, whereby complete recovery of said articles is had without the necessity of long and costly fishing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved retrieving tool, of the character described, having a packer for sealing off between the tool and well bore so as to assure the reverse circulation of fluid externally of and then upwardly through the chamber for washing articles into said catcher.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved retrieving tool, of the character described, wherein the packer is supported by telescoping members so as to be set upon relative movement of the members, said packer having rotatable connection with said members so as to permit rotation of the members and tool relative to the set packer.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved retrieving tool for use in a well bore having a passage communicating with a catcher for directing fluid under pressure down through the catcher to wash loose formation from the bottom of a well bore and means for closing the passage and opening other passages to reverse the circulation of the fluid and thereby direct said flow downwardly externally of and upwardly through said catcher for washing articles thereinto whereby the flow of the fluid is utilized to assist in retrieving the articles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved retrieving tool, of the character described, wherein the means for controlling the flow of fluid through the passages is arranged to be actuated by the pressure of the fluid, said means being locked in position after closing one passage and opening the other passages to permit the release of said fluid during the withdrawal of the tool.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a .reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a retrieving tool constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in a well bore with its packer set,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view of the upper portion of the tool with the packer set,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the upper portion of the tool prior to setting of its packer,

Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the lower portion of the tool,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view, showing a portion of the seal for the packer,

Fig. 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 10 is a sectional perspective view, showing the ice telescoping spline connection for setting the packer, and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view, showing the latch for holding the valve means in its lower position.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a retrieving tool having a tubular body or barrel 11 and adapted to be lowered into a well bore 12 by a drill string or other well pipe 13. A head or top sub 14, having a screw-threaded socket 15, is provided at the upper end of the body 11 for connecting the tool to the drill string 13 (Figs. 2 and 3). The lower end of the body 11 is open to provide a junk catching or receiving chamber 16 which is preferably formed by a cylindrical sleeve or shoe 17 screw-threaded upon said body lower end, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 4. Suitable teeth or serrations 18 are formed on the lower end of the shoe 17 and an internal, radial shoulder 19 is provided thereabove for supporting a circular junk basket or catcher 20. Junk, such as cones and cutters, entering the chamber 16 is caught and retained by springpressed fingers 21 which are pivoted to and extend radially inward from the lower end of the basket or catcher 20. It is noted that the fingers 21 are maintained in a horizontal position and are capable of being swung only upwardly from such position. A spacer tube 22 is disposed above the basket for supporting a small junk basket or catcher 23 which is in the form of a circular plate having an axial, upstanding neck or collar 24. For preventing small junk, such as ball bearings or pins, from falling through the collar 24, a conical, perforated baflle 25 may be supported in the upper end of said collar in spaced relation thereto.

A tubular flow pipe or conductor 26 is mounted in the axial bore 27 of the body for directing fluid from the drill string downwardly through the chamber 16. As will be explained, the pipe 26 is slidably mounted in the sub 14 and is sealed off from the axial bore 28 thereof by suitable packing 29 which is confined in place by a gland 30. An axial opening or passage 31 is formed in the lower portion of the body above and in communication with the chamber 16 and has the lower end of the pipe 26 screwthreaded into the upper end thereof for directing the fluid to said chamber. The upper portion of the passage 31 communicates with the well bore 12 through downwardlyinclined, radially-extending ports or passages 32 formed in the body above the chamber. A sleeve valve 33, having an axial bore 34, is slidably mounted in the passage 31 and is constantly urged upwardly into overlying, closing relation to the inner ends of the radial ports 32 by a coiled spring 35. The lower portion of the sleeve valve 34 is of reduced diameter and a radial shoulder 36 is provided at the bottom of the passage 31 for receiving and confining the spring 35. Communication between the chamber and the bore 27 of the body is established by plurality of upright passages or ducts 37 formed in said body in surrounding relation to its axial passage (Fig. 7). As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the ducts 37 are closed by a valve head or element 38 which forms a part of and which is secured to the lower end of the valve 33. The valve element 38 is in the form of a cross and has radial arms held in overlying relation to the lower ends of the ducts by the spring 36. A depending U-shaped keeper or bracket 39 engages over one of the arms of the valve element for limiting downward movement of the valve and maintaining the arms of said element in alinement with the ducts.

With the valve in the position shown in Fig. 3, the ducts 37 are closed by the arms of the valve element 38 and the ports 32 are closed by said sleeve valve. Thus, fluid is directed from the drill string through the pipe 26 and the bore 34 of the sleeve valve to the chamber 16 and after passing through said chamber is di rected to the surface through the well bore externally of the tool and the drill string. In this manner, loose formation as well as other debris may be washed from the bottom of the well bore. In order to reverse the flow of fluid and direct the same upwardly through the chamber, a valve ball 40 is adapted to be dropped or pumped downwardly through the drill. string and pipe 26 into engagement with the sleeve valve. An upwardlydirected, bevelled seat 41 is formed in the upper'end of the valve for receiving the valve ball 40. Due to the pressure of the fluid, the bore 34 of the valve is closed and said valve is forced downwardly against the com- 'pression of the spring 35. As soon as the upper end of the valve moves below the upper ends of the ports 32, the fluid flows outwardly into the well bore and passes downwardly around and upwardly into the chamber. Since the ducts 37 have been opened by the downward movement of the valve, the fluid flows from the chamber through said ducts into the bore 27 of the body ex ternally of the pipe 26. Outlet ports or openings 42 are formed in the sub 14 in communication with its bore 28 for returning the fluid to the well bore.

In order to hold the valve in its lower position, a resllient detent 43 is formed on one of the legs of the keeper 39 for overlying the confined arm of the valve element and preventing upward movement of said valve after it has been moved downwardly by the pressure of the fluid (Fig. 11). Thus, the keeper serves as a latch for the valve as well as a guide and alining means for the valve element. Due to the reverse circulation of the fluid upwardly through the chamber, it is manifest that the movement of articles into said chamber is assisted by the flow of the fluid. In fact, the articles are washed into the chamber by the pressure of the fluid. Since the valve is held in its lower position, the ports 32 remain in communication with the passage 31 and the pipe 26 so as to permit the draining of fluid from the drill string upon removal of the tool and thereby materially reduce the weight of said drill string.

In order to assure the reverse circulation described hereinbefore, a deformable packer 44 is mounted externally on the body above the chamber and the lower ends of the ports 32. The packer 44 includes a cylindrical sleeve of synthetic rubber or other suitable elastic material having its end portions molded or otherwise secured to annular reinforcing collars or rings 46 and 47. As shown by the numeral 48, the upper end portion of the body is externally recessed for receiving the lower packer collar or hub 47. A reduced, co-axial flange 49 depends from the sub 14 and has a cylindrical number or sleeve 50 screw-threaded thereupon for receiving the upper packer collar or hub 46. The packer collars are rotatably supported by ball bearings 51 so as to permit rotation of the body and its sub relative to the packer when the latter is set. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 6, annular, complimentary grooves 52 and 53 are formed in the adjacent surfaces of the packer collars or hub. reduced body portion 48 and sleeve 50 to provide races for the ball bearings 51. The balls are inserted in the races by means of radial openin s 54 formed in the packer collars or hub and plugs 55 are screw-threaded in the openings to prevent displacement of said balls. As shown in Fig. l, a lock screw 56 may be provided for preventing displacement of each plug 55.

The packer is adapted to be deformed or distorted outwardly into sealing engagement with the Wall of the well bore by longitudinal movement of the body relative to its sub. A spline connection is provided between the body and sub by a cylindrical member or sleeve 57 screw-threaded in the bore 27 of said body and projecting upwardly into the sleeve 50. As is most clearly shown in Figs. and 10, internal, longitudinal splines or keys 58 are formed on the sleeve 50 for intermeshing engagement with complimentary s lines or keys 59 formed on the exterior of the sleeve 57. Complimentary grooves or ways 60 and 61 are formed on the sleeves between their s lines for receiving the splines 59 and 58, respectively. Due to the spline connection provided by the sleeves, telescoping movement of said sleeves and longitudinal movement of the body relative to its sub is permitted for deforming the packer into sealing position. In order to prevent separation of the splines, the grooves 60 and 61 terminate short of the outer ends of their respective sleeves to provide shoulders 62 and 63 and the extremities of the splines are increased in thickness to provide shoulders 64 and 65 for coacting with said shoulders 63 and 62, respectively.

For directing fluid from the body bore 27 to the outlet openings 42, a tubular conductor or pipe 66 is screwthreaded in the lower end of the bore 28 of the sub so as to depend therefrom through the sleeve 50 into the sleeve 57 in concentric surrounding relation to the pipe 26. Thus, the pipe 66 is movable longitudinally with the sub and upper spline sleeve relative to the body and lower spline sleeve and is of such length as to be spaced 4 above the lower end of the body bore upon full telescoping movement of the tool as shown in Fig. 2. An internal, radial flange or shoulder 67 is secured in the upper portion of the spline sleeve 57 for slidably receiving and guiding the lower portion of the pipe 66. The shoulder 67 has an annular groove 68 formed in its inner peripheral surface for receiving a plurality of superimposed O-rings 69 of synthetic rubber or other suitable elastic material, whereby a seal is provided between the pipe 66 and the spline sleeves to prevent the pressure of the fluid from being exerted upon the packer and prematurely expanding the same into sealing position. Complimentary spacers 70 are provided to support the O-rings 69 (Fig. 8). In order to maintain the spline sleeves in their extended position and resist deforming of the packer into sealing position, a heavy coiled spring 71 surrounds the pipe 66 and is confined between the shoulder 67 and the lower end of the sub. Manifestly, the spline sleeves will be urged apart and held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the force of the spring 71. It is noted that since the inner pipe 26 is connected to the body and the outer pipe 66 is fastened to the sub, said inner pipe is movable longitudinally of said sub and said outer pipe.

In operation, the retrieving tool is loweerd into the well bore 12 by means of the drill string 13 with its elements in the relation or position shown in Fig. 3. Fluid under pressure is pumped down through the drill string and the tool to wash cuttings and loose formation from the bottom of the well bore. Since the ball valve 40 has not been inserted, the sleeve valve is in its upper position so as to close the ports 32 and ducts 37. Therefore, the fluid flows through the valve bore 34 downwardly through the chamber 16 around and upwardly through the well bore externally of the body 11 of the tool and its shoe 17. The removal of the loose formation is assisted by the teeth 18 and the rotation of the drill string and tool. After sufficient circulation and rotation to remove substantially all of the loose formation above the junk in the well bore. the ball valve is dropped through the drill string and forced and/or held in engagement with the seat 41 of the sleeve valve by the pressure of the fluid. Since the valve bore 34 is closed by the valve ball engaging the seat, it is manifest that the pressure of the fluid forces the sleeve valve downwardly into its lower position in which it is latched by the detent 43 of the keeper 39 engaging the confined arm of the valve element 38. The fluid then flows from the passage 31 through the radial ports 32 into the well bore externally of the body and its shoe and then into and upwardly through the junk catching chamber. Since the ducts 37 are opened by the lowering of the valve element, the fluid flows from the chamber throu h said ports into the bore 27 of the body, pipe 66, sub bore 28 and back into the well bore through the outlet openings 42.

Upon establishing this reverse circulation, the (111 string and tool are lowered so that the lower end of the shoe bears against the bottom of the well bore. Continued downward movement compresses the spring 71 and causes telescoping movement of the s line sleeves 50 and 57 so as to move the sub 14 toward the b dy and deform the packer 44 radially outward into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore. Due to the rotatable mounting of the packer. the tool may be rotated constantly to prevent sticking thereof. As has been explained, the seal provided by the packer prevents the fluid from by-passing the chamber and flowing upwardly directly from the ports 32 externally of the tool whereby reverse circulation through said tool is assured. Articles in the well bore are Washed into the chamber by this flow of the fluid, with large junk being caught bv the basket 20 and small junk bv the catcher 23. The pivoted fingers 21 and collar 24 permit the entry and prevent the escape of the junk. After retrieving the articles from the well bore, the drill string and tool are raised whereby the compression of the spring 71 forces the spline sleeves apart so as to return the packer to its non-distorted position. The tool then may be removed readily from the well bore. Of course, the fluid drains from the chamber and, due to the latching of the sleeve valve in its lower position, trapping of fluid in the pipe 26 and the drill string is prevented. Thus, the weight to be lifted is materially reduced. It is noted that the basket 20 has a loose fit Within the shoe 17 whereby said basket may rotate or remain stationary with the junk during rotation of the tool. Due to the provision of the teeth 18, the articles in the well bore may be uncovered and positioned for entry into the chamber.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a tubular body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having an open ended receiving chamber at its lower end and a plurality of fluid passages, the first of the passages communicating with the drill string and receiving chamber for directing fluid from said drill string downwardly through said chamber, the second of said passages extending from said first passage to the exterior of said body so as to communicate with the well bore, the third of said passages extending from said chamber to the interior of said body externally of said first passage and from said body interior to said body exterior, valve means controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passages and closing the second and third passages when said first passage is in communication with said chamber, and means engageable with the valve means to actuate the same for opening said second and third passages and closing ofi communication between said first passage and chamber so as to direct the fluid from said first passage through said second passage externally of said body and upwardly through said chamber and third passage into the interior of said body.

2. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve means includes a. sleeve having its bore establishing communication between the receiving chamber and first passage and adapted to be closed by the engageable means whereby the sleeve is moved down wardly by the pressure of the fluid to open communication between said first and second passages.

3. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a tubular body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having an open ended receiving chamber at its lower end and a plurality of fluid passages, the first of the passages communicating with the drill string and receiving chamber for directing fluid from said drill string downwardly through said chamber, the second of said passages extending from the first passage to the exterior of said body so as to communicate with the well bore, the third of said passages extending from said chamber to the interior of said body externally of said first passage and from said body interior to said body exterior, sleeve valve means controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passages and having a bore in communication with said first passage and chamber, means maintaining the sleeve valve means in position to close said second and third passages, and means lowerable through the drill string and first passage to close the bore of said valve means whereby said valve means is moved downwardly by the pressure of the fluid to open communication between said first and second passages and direct fluid upwardly through said chamber and third passage.

4. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 1 including, a deformable packer carried by the body above the outer end of said second passage for sealing olf between said body and well bore in its set position to assure reverse circulation of the fluid upwardly through the receiving chamber.

5. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body includes a pair of telescoping members above its receiving chamber, a deformable packer carried by the members and deformed into sealing engagement with the well bore upon telescoping movement of said members for confining the fluid and assuring reverse circulation thereof upwardly through said chamber.

6. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein the packer is rotatably mounted on the telescoping members to permit rotation of the body relative to the set packer.

7. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein the telescoping members are resiliently urged apart for maintaining the packer in its undefor'med'position'.

8. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a tubular body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having a junk catching chamber in its lower end, a passage extending through the body in communication with the chamber and drill string for conducting fluid downwardly through said chamber, a port in said body above said chamber and extending from the passage to the exterior of said body, a duct extending between said chamber and the interior of said body and from said body interior to said body exterior, spring-pressed valve means mounted in said passage for closing the port and having means closing the duct and having a bore extending and establishing communication therethrough, and means adapted to be lowered through the drill string and passage for closing the bore of the valve means whereby said valve means is pressure responsive and is moved downwardly by the pressure of the fluid so as to open said port and duct for directing fluid out through said port and upwardly through said chamber and duct.

9. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 8 wherein the spring-pressed valve means and bore closing means includes a sleeve valve and a valve ball.

10. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 8 including, latch means for holding the valve means in its lower position to permit the draining of fluid from the body upon removal of the tool from the well bore.

11. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 8 wherein the valve means includes a slidable sleeve valve for closing the port and an element connected to the sleeve valve for closing the passage, and a latch engageable with the element for holding said sleeve valve and element in open position.

12. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 8 including, a packer mounted on the body above its chamber for sealing off around said body in its set position to assure reverse circulation of the fluid upwardly through said chamber.

13. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a tubular body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having a junk catching chamber in its lower end, a deformable packer mounted on said body above the chamber, a tubular sub above the packer for connection with the drill string, the sub and body having telescoping connection and supporting the end portions of said packer whereby said packer is deformed into sealing engagement with the well bore upon relative movement between said sub and body, a conductor connecting said sub to said chamber for directing fluid downwardly therethrough, a port in said body extending from the lower end of the conductor to the exterior of said body, a passage connecting said chamber to the interior of said body, and tubular valve means at the lower end of said conductor for closing the port and passage, and means adapted to be lowered through "the drill string and conductor for closing the valve means whereby said valve means is moved downwardly by the pressure of the fluid to open said port and passage for directing fluid out through said'port and upwardly through said chamber and passage.

14. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 13 wherein the packer is rotatably supported by the body and sub so as to permit rotation of said body and sub relative to said packer when the latter is set.

15. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having an open ended receiving chamber at its lower end and a plurality of fluid passages, a deformable packer mounted on said body above the chamber for sealing off between said body and well bore wall when in its deformed position, the first of the fluid passages communicating with said chamber and drill string for directing fluid from the drill string downwardly through said chamber, the second of said passages extending from the first passage to the exterior of said body below said packer so as to communicate with the well bore, the third of said passages extending from said chamber upwardly through said body to the exterior of said body above the packer so as to communicate with the well bore, and means for closing said first passage to direct fluid from said first passage outwardly through said second passage externally of said body and upwardly through said chamber and third passage and externally of said body above said packer.

16. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 15 wherein the packer is rotatably mounted on the body to permit rotation of said body relative to the set packer.

17. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 15 wherein the body includes a pair of telescoping members above its receiving chamber, the packer being carried by the members and being deformed into sealing engagement upon telescoping movement of said members for confining the fluid and assuring reverse circulation thereof upwardly through said chamber.

18. A tool for retrieving articles in a well bore including, a body adapted to be lowered into a well bore on a drill string, the body having a junk catching chamber in its lower end, a deformable packer mounted on said body above the chamber, a sub above the packer for connection with the drill string, the sub and body having telescoping connection and supporting the end portions of said packer whereby said packer is deformed into sealing engagement with the well bore wall upon relative movement between said sub and body, a conductor connecting said sub to said chamber for directing fluid downwardly therethrough, a port in said body extending from the lower end of the conductor to the exterior of said body below said packer, a passage extending from said chamber upwardly through said body and sub to the exterior of said sub above said packer, and means for closing the lower end of said conductor to direct fluid from said conductor outwardly through the part externally of said body and upwardly through said chamber and passage and externally of said sub above said packer.

19. A retrieving tool as set forth in claim 18 wherein the packer is rotatably supported by the body and sub so as to permit rotation of said body and sub relative to the set packer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brantly May 23, 1939 2,416,613 Castin Feb. 25, 1947 

